I don't know about other states, let me start off by saying that much. I do know that here in Arizona, when I was first on Medicaid, I was automatically eligible for a cheap flip phone with 250 minutes just for having a Medicaid card - same also held true at the time if I presented a food stamp card - bingo, free phone for a year with 250 minutes a month, which lasted for one full year before needing to renew by showing a Medicaid card or a food stamp card. Here in Arizona it's very easy to get a free phone provided you are receiving some sort of assistance.

Also about the $30 a month - I don't deny that this is hard to come up with for many people. I know people in the 85006 who donate plasma to afford their free smartphone with the $30 plan. Their general thought is that it's worth it to donate plasma to protect themselves from American police via smartphone video. Rob